Мишель Роуэн - Something Wicked

“You’re right,” she said. “Friends are something to celebrate.”

“How about breakfast? I’ll treat. There’s that buffet around the corner I’ve been meaning to try. I’ve never been so hungry in my life, and Nancy’s coffee and donuts aren’t going to cut it this morning. Besides, she called in sick today so the coffee probably won’t even be as good as it normally is.”

Yeah , Eden thought. She’s recovering from nearly becoming a snack for a demon lord. That’s definitely worth using a sick day for.

“Sounds fantastic,” Darrak said. “Buffets are all you can eat?”

“They are.”

“Do they have chocolate donuts?”

“They might have some chocolate croissants, which, trust me, are even better.” Andy grabbed his coat from the rack and put it on. “Then we can discuss our case load. We’ve all been slacking this week so things are building up. A couple of fairy clients have been calling nonstop. Fairy folk are very persistent. Anyway, I’ll meet you outside.”

The bell on the door jingled as he left the office without giving them a chance to say anything in reply.

“Denial,” Darrak said.

“Big-time denial.”

“Twelve days till the next full moon.”

Eden nodded. “I have it circled on my calendar. And until then?”

“He should be okay. But you might want to invest in a leash and muzzle. Possibly some doggy treats.”

Eden smiled despite herself. “Great.”

As she turned toward the door to follow Andy, Darrak grabbed her wrist.

“Eden. .” he began.

She looked up at him. “That’s my name.”

“When the wizard master gets back from his tropical vacation, we’ll talk to him. And we could also try summoning another demon to help—”

She shuddered. “No more demons.”

“Maybe you’re right.”

“Lucas said there’s no way to break the curse. We’re stuck like this.”

“He’s been known to lie,” he said. “Demons tend to do that a lot.”

“Oh, I’m well aware of that.”

The Malleus couldn’t help them, she’d already seen what they considered “help.” She hoped she’d never hear from Ben or Oliver or Sandy ever again, but she wasn’t holding her breath. She’d continue to be aware of anyone approaching her carrying a syringe full of tranquilizers.

She’d told Darrak what Lucas said about her not having a death sentence from his possession anymore. While he knew what he was drawing on was celestial energy, he was unaware that it was turning him more angelic with every passing day.

He wouldn’t like that very much.

All she knew for sure was that they’d keep looking for a way to break Darrak’s curse. Even if it took forever. After all, being immortal, she did have time on her side now.

Darrak drew closer to her until she could feel the warmth from his body. He was still extra-hot after his fire-filled brush with destruction yesterday.

He was pretty hot to begin with.

“Okay,” he said. “No more demons. Besides, they’d never understand what we have between us.”

She raised her eyebrows and looked up at him. “Oh? And what’s that?”

Darrak slid his arm around her, his hand coming to rest at the small of her back. His lips twitched into a wry smile. “Something that scares the hell right out of me.”

Eden couldn’t help but grin back at him — her personal demon, who was now just a little bit angel as well.

“That makes two of us,” she said.